Gov. Richardson meets North Koreans in Santa Fe
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson planned to meet two top North Korean diplomats on Friday in a session blessed by the White House before talks resume next week on North Korea's nuclear programs. Officials at Richardson's office in Sante Fe, New Mexico, said the governor would meet with Minister Kim Myong Gil and First Secretary Song Se Il of the North Korean mission to the United Nations. They were granted permission by the State Department to make the visit to Santa Fe. Envoys from the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States will resume talks on Monday that have been stalled for more than one year, with the aim of getting Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear weapons program in exchange for aid, greater diplomatic standing and pledges it will not be attacked. Richardson said he would press the North Koreans to start dismantling their nuclear weapons. The North Koreans detonated a nuclear test in October. Richardson has dealt extensively with North Korea as a member of Congress, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary. He has traveled to North Korea five times, most recently last October. White House spokesman Tony Snow said Richardson could play a "constructive role" by reminding North Korea of the benefits it could receive by forswearing nuclear weapons and urging them to adhere to terms of a September 2005 agreement. "He's not doing official work for us. but if you take a look at his record, it would be likely that he would be encouraging the North Koreans to abide by the agreement in the six-party talks and return in good faith," Snow said. Snow was quick to strike a difference between Richardson's meeting and a visit to Syria by Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The White House called Nelson's visit unhelpful. This was the second North Korean delegation to travel to Santa Fe to meet Richardson, a potential 2008 candidate for the Democratic nomination for president. The first visit was shortly after he became governor in January 2003.
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